ALAMOSA – Sanford Schools will adopt a new mascot beginning on May 28 as its athletic teams will change from Indians to Thundering Mustangs.

The Indian mascot will be retired at the Sanford High School graduation on May 28.

The school has to remove all Native American-associated language, symbols and images by June 2. All schools that have not removed such items will be fined $25,000 per month following that date.

The school announced that even though the mascot won’t change until May 28, it will begin to remove the current mascot from the school and begin transitioning to the new mascot. The transition will begin immediately to meet the deadline requirements.

Approval of meeting all the requirements to prevent the school from being fined must be met and reviewed by the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.

The school will keep the current colors of Kelly green, white and black.